Hematologic cancer treatments

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are improved compositions and methods involved in treating hematologic cancers, i.e., cancers that begin in blood-forming tissue, such as the bone marrow, or in the cells of the immune system. The compositions comprise complexes containing albumin-containing nanoparticles (e.g., ABRAXANE® nanoparticles) and antibodies. The compositions are used to effect hematologic cancer cell death.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/294,829, filed Feb. 12, 2016, the disclosure of which is consideredpart of, and is incorporated by reference in, the disclosure of thisapplication.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to improved compositions and methods involved intreating hematologic cancers, i.e., cancers that begin in blood-formingtissue, such as the bone marrow, or in the cells of the immune system,e.g., leukemia (e.g., acute myelogenous (granulocytic) leukemia (AML),chronic myelogenous (granulocytic) leukemia (CML), acute lymphocytic(lymphoblastic) leukemia (ALL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), andhairy cell leukemia), lymphomas (e.g., mature B-cell neoplasms, mature Tcell neoplasms, mature natural killer cell neoplasms,immunodeficiency-associated lymphoproliferative disorders, Hodgkinlymphomas, and non-Hodgkin lymphomas), myeloma (e.g., multiple myeloma).This invention also relates to compositions and methods using complexescontaining albumin-containing nanoparticles (e.g., ABRAXANE®nanoparticles) and antibodies (e.g., anti-CD20 polypeptide antibodiessuch as Rituximab) to treat hematologic cancers, e.g., leukemias,lymphomas and myelomas. The results presented herein demonstrate thecriticality of administering an effective dose of the complexes ofalbumin-containing nanoparticles (e.g., ABRAXANE® nanoparticles) andantibodies to achieve regression of the cancer.

BACKGROUND

Hematologic cancers are cancers that begin in blood-forming tissue, suchas the bone marrow, or in the cells of the immune system. Examples ofhematologic cancer are leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.

SUMMARY

ABRAXANE® (nanosized particles of albumin and paclitaxel commerciallyavailable from Celgene Corp.) provided a novel approach to treatingcancers with paclitaxel. However notwithstanding its bloodcompatibility, ABRAXANE® is ineffective against hematological cancers.As such, conventional protocols and treatment regimens are still used,along with exploratory immunotherapies, in the treatment of hematologiccancers.

This invention provides improvements in the methods and materialsinvolved in treating hematologic cancers, e.g., leukemias (e.g., AML,CML, ALL, CLL, and hairy cell leukemia), lymphomas (e.g., mature B-cellneoplasms, mature T cell neoplasms, mature natural killer cellneoplasms, immunodeficiency-associated lymphoproliferative disorders,Hodgkin lymphomas, and non-Hodgkin lymphomas), and myelomas (e.g.,multiple myeloma, light chain myeloma, and non-secretory myeloma).

In one embodiment, this invention provides pharmaceutical compositionscomprising complexes containing albumin-containing nanoparticles (e.g.,ABRAXANE® nanoparticles) and humanized or chimeric antibodies andmethods for treating a hematologic cancer using the pharmaceuticalcompositions. The antibodies include without limitation, e.g., anti-CD52polypeptide antibodies and anti-CD20 polypeptide antibodies to treatleukemias, anti-CD20 polypeptide antibodies to treat lymphomas, andanti-CD38 polypeptide antibodies to treat myelomas. Such antibodies alsoinclude, e.g., Alemtuzumab, Obinutuzumab, Rituximab, Daratumumab,MOR202, or SAR650984.

Without being bound by theory, humanized monoclonal antibodies contain ahydrophobic Fc portion comprising hydrophobic amino acids. Likewisealbumin contains a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic domain. It is thehydrophobic domain of albumin that solubilizes paclitaxel. Thehydrophobic domain of albumin allows for surface complexation of thehydrophobic Fc portion of the humanized antibody and suchhydrophobic-hydrophobic interactions are sufficiently stable to permitretention of the structural motif of the albumin-paclitaxel particles.Surprisingly the structural motif is stable to lyophilization.Accordingly, this invention is directed in part to lyophilizedcompositions, e.g., compositions comprising albumin-containingnanoparticles complexed with an antibody wherein said nanoparticlescontain albumin and a therapeutically effective amount of paclitaxelcontained therein, as well as a plurality of the antibodies complexedwith the nanoparticles, wherein said nanoparticles are solids whichcomplexes have a size less than 1 micron provided that at least aportion of the antibodies are arranged on the surface of thenanoparticles in a manner that the nanoparticle-complexes retainantibody mediated target binding specificity, wherein the composition isin a lyophilized form. The antibodies are preferably humanizedantibodies directed to hematological cancer cells. The antibodies canbe, e.g., a humanized anti-CD52 polypeptide antibody, a humanizedanti-CD20 polypeptide antibody, or a humanized anti-CD38 polypeptideantibody.

An embodiment of this invention includes, unit dose of a compositioncomprising albumin-containing nanoparticles complexed with an antibodywherein said nanoparticles contain albumin and paclitaxel at a ratio ofabout 9:1 albumin to paclitaxel as well as a plurality of humanizedantibodies complexed thereto wherein said nanoparticles are solids whichcomplexes have a size less than 1 micron provided that at least aportion of the said antibodies are arranged on the surface of saidnanoparticles in a manner that said nanoparticle-complexes retainantibody mediated target binding specificity, wherein said unit dosecomprises from about 17.5 mg/m² to about 125 mg/m² of said antibody andabout 75 mg/m² to about 250 mg/m² paclitaxel. The unit dose may alsocomprise 100 mg/m² to about 200 mg/m², or about 150 mg/m² of paclitaxel.The unit dose may also comprise about 35 mg/m² to about 100 mg/m², orabout 50 to about 100 mg/m² of antibody. The antibody may be a humanizedanti-CD52 polypeptide antibody, a humanized anti-CD20 polypeptideantibody or and humanized anti-CD38 polypeptide antibody

The methods described herein provide for hematologic cancer cell deathby contacting the cells with the compositions comprising complexes ofalbumin-containing nanoparticles (e.g., ABRAXANE® nanoparticles) andhumanized or chimeric antibodies. The antibodies may be humanized orchimeric anti-CD52 polypeptide antibodies, anti-CD-20 polypeptideantibodies or anti-CD38 polypeptide antibodies. The hematologic cancercell can be a leukemia cell, a lymphoma cell, or myeloma cell. Theleukemia cell may be (e.g., AML cell, CML cell, ALL cell, CLL cell, andhairy cell leukemia cell), lymphoma cell can be from e.g., mature B-cellneoplasms, mature T cell neoplasms, mature natural killer cellneoplasms, immunodeficiency-associated lymphoproliferative disorders,Hodgkin lymphomas, and non-Hodgkin lymphomas, and the myeloma cell canbe from, e.g., a multiple myeloma, a light chain myeloma, and anon-secretory myeloma.

The methods described herein also provide for hematologic cancer celldeath in a patient by administering to the patient an effective amountof the compositions described herein comprising complexes ofalbumin-containing nanoparticles (e.g., ABRAXANE® nanoparticles) andhumanized or chimeric antibodies. The antibodies may be humanized orchimeric anti-CD52 polypeptide antibodies, anti-CD-20 polypeptideantibodies or anti-CD38 polypeptide antibodies. The hematologic cancercell can be a leukemia cell, a lymphoma cell, or myeloma cell.

ABRAXANE® is available from Celgene Corp. and is a nanoparticleformulation that combines paclitaxel with human albumin. Anti-CD52polypeptide antibodies such as Alemtuzumab is available from GenzymeCorporation under trade names such as Campath. Alemtuzumab is ahumanized monoclonal antibody that binds to CD52, a protein present onthe surface of mature lymphocytes, but not on the stem cells from whichthese lymphocytes are derived. Anti-CD20 polypeptide antibodies such asRituximab are available from Genentech Inc., Roche, and AryogenBiopharma under trade names such as Rituxan™ MabThera™, and Zytux™.Rituximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody against CD20 polypeptidespresents on surface of lymphocyte cells (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.5,736,137). Anti-CD38 polypeptide antibodies such as Daratumumab,MOR202, or SAR650984 are available from Johnson & Johnson/Genmab,Celgene Corp./Morphosys, or Sanofi/Immunogen, respectively. Daratumumabis a monoclonal antibody against CD38 polypeptides (see, e.g., de Weerset al., J Immunol., 186(3): 1840-1848 (2011)).

As described herein, combining in vitro albumin-containing nanoparticles(e.g., ABRAXANE® nanoparticles) and humanized antibodies, includinge.g., anti-CD52, anti-CD20 or anti-CD38 polypeptide antibodies, e.g.,Alemtuzumab, Rituximab, or SAR650984, result in the formation ofmacromolecular complexes, the characteristics of which (e.g., size,antibody content, or chemotherapeutic drug content) can be customizeddepending on need. Such macromolecular complexes retain antibodymediated target binding specificity and retain and possibly enhancechemotherapeutic tumor cell cytotoxicity, and can exhibit no additionaltoxicity beyond that of ABRAXANE® nanoparticles alone. As also describedherein, contacting albumin-containing nanoparticles (e.g., ABRAXANE®)with a humanized or chimeric anti-CD52, anti-CD20, or anti-CD38polypeptide antibody (e.g., Alemtuzumab, Rituximab, or SAR650984) priorto administration to a human (e.g., a human hematologic cancer patient)result in complex formation. These complexes, when administered, have anability to treat the hematologic cancer as compared to a treatmentregimen that includes administering albumin-paclitaxelnanoparticles,(e.g., ABRAXANE®) alone. Moreover, these complexes aresignificantly superior to treatment with ABRAXANE® and the antibodyseparately in a manner that does not form ABRAXANE®/antibody complexes.Moreover, the macromolecular complexes of the humanized antibody andpaclitaxel albumin-containing nanoparticles are more stable as comparedto the paclitaxel albumin containing nanoparticles and, therefore,provide enhanced efficacy and reduced toxicity.

This invention is predicated, in part, on the discovery that that themacromolecular complexes deliver an effective dose of paclitaxel to killhematologic cancer cells even though the complexes comprise a dose ofthe antibody that is substantially lower than the standard dose ofantibody heretofore used either by itself or with paclitaxel (e.g., inABRAXANE®). For example, a unit dose of a composition of this inventioncomprises from about 75 mg/m² to about 250 mg/m² of paclitaxel and fromabout 17.5 mg/m² to about 125 mg/m², about 35 mg/m² to about 100 mg/m²,and about 50 to about 100 mg/m² of an antibody described herein.

Without being limited to any theory, the use of such a small amount ofantibody is possible as it imparts both in vivo stability to thecompositions once administered and provides directional (steering)capacity of the nanoparticles to direct them to the cancer cells.

The methods and materials provided herein can be used to increase theprogression-free survival rate in hematologic cancer patients.Increasing progression-free survival is a benefit in its own right andcan lead to hematologic cancer patients to live longer.

In general, one aspect of this document features a method for treating amammal having a hematologic cancer, e.g. a leukemia, lymphoma, ormyeloma. The method comprises, or consisting essentially of,administering to the mammal a composition comprising nanoparticlescontaining albumin and paclitaxel complexed with an appropriatehumanized or chimeric antibody, e.g., an anti-CD52 or anti-CD20polypeptide antibody for leukemia, an anti-CD20 polypeptide antibody forlymphoma or an anti-CD38 polypeptide antibody for myeloma, underconditions wherein the length of progression-free survival is increased.The mammal can be a human. The hematologic cancer may be a leukemia(e.g., chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), cutaneous T-cell lymphoma(CTCL) and T-cell lymphoma), lymphomas (e.g., mature B-cell neoplasms,mature T cell neoplasms, mature natural killer cell neoplasms,immunodeficiency-associated lymphoproliferative disorders, Hodgkinlymphomas, and non-Hodgkin lymphomas), and myelomas (e.g., multiplemyeloma, light chain myeloma, and non-secretory myeloma). Thecomposition can comprise Alemtuzumab, Rituximab, or Daratumumabcomplexed with the nanoparticles. The composition can also comprise analkylating agent complexed with the nanoparticles. The alkylating agentcan be a platinum compound. The platinum compound can be carboplatin.The antibody can be a humanized antibody. The antibody can be a chimericantibody. The composition can be administered by injection.

The progression-free survival rate for patients can be increased by 15percent or more. Preferably, the progression-free survival can beincreased by 25 percent. More preferably, the progression-free survivalcan be increased by 50 percent. Even more preferably, theprogression-free survival can be increased by 75 percent. Mostpreferably, the progression-free survival can be increased by at least100 percent.

In another aspect, this document features a method for treating a mammalhaving a hematologic cancer, e.g., a leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma. Themethod comprises, or consists essentially of, administering, to themammal, a composition comprising albumin-containingnanoparticle/antibody complexes, wherein the average diameter of thecomplexes is between 0.1 and 0.9 μm, and wherein the antibody is ahumanized or chimeric antibody that binds to a polypeptide on thehematologic cancer cell. The polypeptide may be, e.g., a CD52polypeptide, a CD20 polypeptide or a CD38 polypeptide. The antibody maybe a humanized or chimeric antibody, e.g., a humanized or chimericanti-CD52 polypeptide antibody, a humanized or chimeric anti-CD20polypeptide antibody, a humanized or chimeric anti-CD38 polypeptideantibody. The mammal can be a human. The hematologic cancer may be aleukemia (e.g., AML, CML, ALL, CLL, and hairy cell leukemia), a lymphoma(e.g., mature B-cell neoplasm, a mature T cell neoplasm, a Hodgkinlymphoma), a myeloma (e.g., multiple myeloma). The albumin-containingnanoparticle/antibody complexes can be ABRAXANE®/Rituximab complexes.The albumin-containing nanoparticle/antibody complexes can beABRAXANE®/Alemtuzumab complexes. The albumin-containingnanoparticle/antibody complexes can be ABRAXANE®/SAR650984 complexes.The composition or the albumin-containing nanoparticle/antibodycomplexes can comprise an alkylating agent. The alkylating agent can bea platinum compound. The platinum compound can be carboplatin. Thecomposition can comprise an anti-inflammatory agent. The composition canbe administered by injection.

As above, the administration of these composition can be effective toincrease progression-free survival of the treated mammal. Theadministration of the composition can be under conditions wherein themedian time to progression for a population of mammals with thehematologic cancer is at least 150 days. The administration of thecomposition can be under conditions wherein the median time toprogression for a population of mammals with the hematologic cancer isat least 165 days. The administration of the composition can be underconditions wherein the median time to progression for a population ofmammals with the hematologic cancer is at least 170 days.

The average diameter of the complexes can be from 0.1 μm to 0.3 μm. Theaverage diameter of the complexes can be from 0.15 μm to 0.3 μm. Theaverage diameter of the complexes can be from 0.2 μm to 0.5 μm. Theaverage diameter of the complexes can be from 0.3 μm to 0.5 μm. Theaverage diameter of the complexes can be from 0.2 μm to 0.8 μm. Theaverage diameter of the complexes can be from 0.2 μm to 0.7 μm.

In another aspect, this document features a method for treating a mammalhaving hematologic cancer. The method comprises, or consists essentiallyof, administering, to the mammal, a composition comprisingalbumin-containing nanoparticle/antibody complexes, wherein the averagediameter of the complexes of the composition is between 0.1 and 0.9 μm,and wherein the antibodies are anti-CD52 antibodies, anti-CD20antibodies, or anti-CD38 antibodies. The mammal can be a human. Thehematologic cancer may be a leukemia, a lymphoma or a myeloma. Theleukemia may be, e.g., AML, CML, ALL, CLL, and hairy cell leukemia. Thelymphoma can be a mature B-cell neoplasm. The lymphoma can be a mature Tcell neoplasm. The lymphoma can be a Hodgkin lymphoma. The myeloma maybe a multiple myeloma. The albumin-containing nanoparticle/antibodycomplexes can be ABRAXANE®/Rituximab complexes. The albumin-containingnanoparticle/antibody complexes can be ABRAXANE®/Alemtuzumab complexes.The albumin-containing nanoparticle/antibody complexes can beABRAXANE®/SAR650984 complexes.

The composition or the albumin-containing nanoparticle/antibodycomplexes can comprise an alkylating agent. The alkylating agent can bea platinum compound. The platinum compound can be carboplatin. Thecomposition can comprise an anti-inflammatory agent. The antibody is ahumanized or chimeric antibody. The antibody may be a humanized orchimeric anti-CD52 polypeptide antibodies. The antibody may be ahumanized or chimeric anti-CD20 polypeptide antibodies. The antibody maybe a humanized or chimeric anti-CD38 polypeptide antibodies. Thecomposition can be administered by injection. Unless otherwise defined,all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning ascommonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which thisinvention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalentto those described herein can be used to practice the invention,suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications,patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein areincorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, thepresent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition,the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and notintended to be limiting.

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth inthe accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features,objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thedescription and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 presents a graph plotting percent change at ten days in tumorsize from baseline of lymphoma (Daudi cell line) tumor bearing nude micetreated with PBS, Rituxan (RIT12; 12 mg/kg) only, Rituxan (RIT18; 18mg/kg) ABRAXANE® (ABX30, 30 mg/kg) only, ABRAXANE® (ABX45, 45 mg/kg)only, AR160 30 and AR160 45 complexes.

FIG. 2 is a Kaplan Meier graph plotting survival of lymphoma (Daudi cellline) tumor bearing nude mice treated with PBS, Rituxan (RIT12; 12mg/kg) only, Rituxan (RIT18; 18 mg/kg) only ABX30 (ABRAXANE®, 30 mg/kg)only, ABX 45 (ABRAXANE®, 45 mg/kg) only, or AR160 complexes, AR160 30(ABX 30 mg/kg, RIT 12 mg/kg), AR160 45 (ABX 45 mg/kg, RIT 18 mg/kg). At80 days 9/9 AR160 45 mice responded to therapy and 2 progressed, 7/9complete responses. The graph illustrated the criticality of theeffective dose of AR160 wherein the survival rate more than triples ascompared to the effect of Rituxan or ABRAXANE® alone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This invention provides methods and materials involved in treatinglymphomas (e.g., mature B-cell neoplasms, mature T cell neoplasms,mature natural killer cell neoplasms, immunodeficiency-associatedlymphoproliferative disorders, Hodgkin lymphomas, and non-Hodgkinlymphomas). For example, this invention provides methods and materialsfor using complexes containing albumin-containing nanoparticles (e.g.,ABRAXANE® nanoparticles) and antibodies (e.g., anti-CD20 polypeptideantibodies such as Rituximab) to treat hematologic cancers, e.g.,leukemias, lymphomas, and myelomas.

The methods and materials provided herein can be used to treat any typeof hematologic cancer. For example, the methods and materials providedherein can be used to treat leukemias (e.g., AML, CML, ALL, CLL, andhairy cell leukemia), Lymphomas, (e.g., mature B-cell neoplasms, matureT cell neoplasms, mature natural killer cell neoplasms,immunodeficiency-associated lymphoproliferative disorders, Hodgkinlymphomas, and non-Hodgkin lymphomas), and myelomas (e.g., multiplemyeloma, light chain myeloma, and non-secretory myeloma). In some cases,the methods and materials provided herein can be used to treathematologic cancer in any type of mammal including, without limitation,mice, rats, dogs, cats, horses, cows, pigs, monkeys, and humans.

In some cases, complexes containing albumin-containing nanoparticles(e.g., ABRAXANE® nanoparticles) and antibodies (e.g., anti-CD52polypeptide antibodies such as Alemtuzumab, anti-CD20 polypeptideantibodies such as Rituximab and anti-CD38 polypeptide antibodies suchas SAR650984). can be designed to have an average diameter that isgreater than 1 μm. For example, appropriate concentrations ofalbumin-containing nanoparticles and antibodies can be used such thatcomplexes having an average diameter that is greater than 1 μm areformed. Preparations of albumin-containing nanoparticle/antibodycomplexes provided herein having an average diameter that is greaterthan 1 μm should be administered into a tumor (e.g., intratumorally) orin a region of a tumor located within a mammal's body.

In some cases, complexes containing albumin-containing nanoparticles(e.g., ABRAXANE® nanoparticles) and antibodies (e.g., anti-CD52polypeptide antibodies such as Alemtuzumab, anti-CD20 polypeptideantibodies such as Rituximab and anti-CD38 polypeptide antibodies suchas SAR650984) can be designed to have an average diameter that is lessthan 1 μm. For example, appropriate concentrations of albumin-containingnanoparticles and antibodies (e.g., Alemtuzumab, Rituximab andSAR650984) can be used such that complexes having an average diameterthat is less than 1 μm are formed. In some cases, the preparations ofalbumin-containing nanoparticle/antibody complexes provided herein canhave an average diameter that is between 0.1 μm and 1 μm (e.g., between0.1 μm and 0.95 μm, between 0.1 μm and 0.9 μm, between 0.1 μm and 0.8μm, between 0.1 μm and 0.7 μm, between 0.1 μm and 0.6 μm, between 0.1 μmand 0.5 μm, between 0.1 μm and 0.4 μm, between 0.1 μm and 0.3 μm,between 0.1 μm and 0.2 μm, between 0.2 μm and 1 μm, between 0.3 μm and 1μm, 30 between 0.4 μm and 1 μm, between 0.5 μm and 1 μm, between 0.2 μmand 0.6 μm, between 0.3 μm and 0.6 μm, between 0.2 μm and 0.5 μm, orbetween 0.3 μm and 0.5 μm).

Preparations of albumin-containing nanoparticle/antibody complexesprovided herein having an average diameter that is between 0.1 μm and0.9 μm can be administered systemically (e.g., intravenously) to treat ahematologic cancer located within a mammal's body.

In general, albumin-containing nanoparticles such as ABRAXANE® can becontacted with an antibody such as an anti-CD20 polypeptide antibody(e.g., Alemtuzumab, Rituximab and SAR650984) prior to administration toa human to form an albumin-containing nanoparticle/antibody complex(e.g., an ABRAXANE®/anti-CD52 polypeptide antibody complex, anABRAXANE®/anti-CD20 polypeptide antibody complex, or anABRAXANE®/anti-CD38 polypeptide antibody complex). Any appropriatealbumin-containing nanoparticle preparation and any appropriate antibodycan be used as described herein. For example, ABRAXANE® nanoparticlescan be used as described herein. Examples of antibodies that can be usedto form albumin-containing nanoparticle/antibody complexes as describedherein include, without limitation, Alemtuzumab, SAR650984, Rituximab(e.g., Rituxan™, MabThera™, or Zytux™). For example, an appropriate doseof ABRAXANE® and an appropriate dose of Alemtuzumab, SAR650984, orRituximab can be mixed together in the same container. This mixture canbe incubated at an appropriate temperature (e.g., room temperature,between 15° C. and 30° C., between 15° C. and 25° C., between 20° C. and30° C., or between 20° C. and 25° C.) for a period of time (e.g., about30 minutes, or between about 5 minutes and about 60 minutes, betweenabout 5 minutes and about 45 minutes, between about 15 minutes and about60 minutes, between about 15 minutes and about 45 minutes, between about20 minutes and about 400 minutes, or between about 25 minutes and about35 minutes) before being administered to a hematologic cancer patient(e.g., a lymphoma patient).

In some cases, albumin-containing nanoparticles such as ABRAXANE® can becontacted with an antibody such as an anti-CD52 polypeptide antibody(e.g., Alemtuzumab), anti-CD20 polypeptide antibody (e.g., Rituximab),or anti-CD38 polypeptide antibody (e.g., SAR650984) to formalbumin-containing nanoparticle/antibody complexes (e.g.,ABRAXANE®/antibody complexes) that are stored prior to beingadministered to a hematologic cancer patient (e.g., a lymphoma patient).For example, a composition containing albumin-containingnanoparticle/antibody complexes can be formed as described herein andstored for a period of time (e.g., days or weeks) prior to beingadministered to a cancer patient. Storage can take the form of alyophilized composition or an aqueous composition.

Any appropriate method can be used to obtain albumin-containingnanoparticles such as ABRAXANE® and an antibody such as an anti-CD52polypeptide antibody, an anti-CD20 polypeptide antibody or an anti-CD38polypeptide antibody. For example, ABRAXANE® can be obtained fromCelgene Corp. or as described elsewhere (U.S. Pat. No. 6,537,579).Rituximab can be obtained from Genentech Corp. or Roche Corp. or asdescribed elsewhere (U.S. Pat. No. 5,736,137). Alemtuzumab can beobtained from Genzyme Corporation. SAR650984 can be obtained fromSanofi-Aventis.

In some cases, the combination of an albumin-containing nanoparticlesuch as ABRAXANE® and an antibody such as an anti-CD52 polypeptideantibody, an anti-CD20 polypeptide antibody or an anti-CD38 polypeptideantibody can include one or more other agents such as an alkylatingagent (e.g., a platinum compound). Examples of platinum compounds thatcan be used as an alkylating agent include, without limitation,carboplatin (PARAPLATIN®), cisplatin (PLATINOL®), oxaliplatin(ELOXATIN®), and BBR3464. Examples of other agents that can be includedwithin an albumin-containing nanoparticle/antibody complex providedherein include, without limitation, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide,vincristine, prednisone, dexamethasone, cytarabine, methotrexate,thiotepa, ifosfamide, chlorambucil, dacarbazine, bleomycin, ibrutinib,campath-B, gemcitabine, revlimid, sirolimus, temsirolimus, bexxar,brentuximab, bendamustine, and etoposide. For example, analbumin-containing nanoparticle/antibody complex provided herein (e.g.,ABRAXANE®/anti-CD52 polypeptide antibody complex, e.g.,ABRAXANE®/anti-CD20 polypeptide antibody complex, and e.g.,ABRAXANE®/anti-CD38 polypeptide antibody complex) can includebrentuximab, cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, or vincristine as part of thecomplex.

Any appropriate method can be used to administer an albumin-containingnanoparticle/antibody complex provided herein (e.g., anABRAXANE®/anti-CD52 polypeptide antibody complex, an ABRAXANE®/anti-CD20polypeptide antibody complex, and an ABRAXANE®/anti-CD38 polypeptideantibody complex) to a mammal. For example, a composition containingalbumin-containing nanoparticle/antibody complexes such asABRAXANE®/anti-CD20 polypeptide antibody complexes can be administeredvia injection (e.g., subcutaneous injection, intramuscular injection,intravenous injection, or intrathecal injection).

Before administering a composition containing an albumin-containingnanoparticle/antibody complex provided herein (e.g., ABRAXANE®/antibodycomplexes) to a mammal, the mammal can be assessed to determine whetheror not the mammal has a hematologic cancer and, if so, what type ofcancer it is, e.g., a leukemia, a lymphoma or myeloma. Any appropriatemethod can be used to determine whether or not a mammal has ahematologic cancer and the type of hematologic cancer. For example, amammal (e.g., human) can be identified as having hematologic cancer,e.g., leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma, using standard diagnostictechniques. In some cases, a tissue biopsy (e.g., lymph node tissuesample) can be collected and analyzed to determine whether or not amammal has a hematologic cancer.

After identifying a mammal as having hematologic cancer and the type ofhematologic cancer, the mammal can be administered a compositioncontaining albumin-containing nanoparticle/antibody complexes providedherein (e.g., ABRAXANE®/anti-CD52 polypeptide antibody complexes for aleukemia, ABRAXANE®/anti-CD20 polypeptide antibody complexes for aleukemia or lymphoma, or ABRAXANE®/anti-CD38 polypeptide antibodycomplexes for a myeloma).

A composition containing albumin-containing nanoparticle/antibodycomplexes provided herein (e.g., ABRAXANE®/anti-CD52 polypeptideantibody complexes, ABRAXANE®/anti-CD20 polypeptide antibody complexesor ABRAXANE®/anti-CD38 polypeptide antibody complexes) can beadministered to a mammal in any appropriate amount, at any appropriatefrequency, and for any appropriate duration effective to achieve adesired outcome (e.g., to increase progression-free survival). In somecases, a composition containing albumin-containing nanoparticle/antibodycomplexes provided herein (e.g., ABRAXANE®/anti-CD52 polypeptideantibody complexes, ABRAXANE®/anti-CD20 polypeptide antibody complexes,or ABRAXANE®/anti-CD38 polypeptide antibody complexes) can beadministered to a mammal having hematologic cancer to reduce theprogression rate of the lymphoma by 5, 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, or morepercent. For example, the progression rate can be reduced such that noadditional cancer progression is detected. Any appropriate method can beused to determine whether or not the progression rate of hematologiccancer is reduced. For example, the progression rate of the hematologiccancer can be readily assessed. In one example, assaying blood samplesor imaging tissue at different time points can be conducted to determinethe amount of cancer cells present. The amounts of cancer cellsdetermined within a blood sample or tissue at different times can becompared to determine the progression rate. After treatment as describedherein, the progression rate can be determined again over another timeinterval.

In some cases, the stage of cancer (e.g., leukemia, lymphoma, ormyeloma) after treatment can be determined and compared to the stagebefore treatment to determine whether or not the progression rate wasreduced.

In some cases, a composition containing albumin-containingnanoparticle/antibody complexes provided herein (e.g.,ABRAXANE®/anti-CD52 polypeptide antibody complexes, ABRAXANE®/anti-CD20polypeptide antibody complexes or ABRAXANE®/anti-CD38 polypeptideantibody complexes) can be administered to a mammal having a hematologiccancer under conditions where progression-free survival is increased(e.g., by 5, 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, or more percent) as compared to themedian progression-free survival of corresponding mammals having anuntreated hematologic cancer of the same type or the medianprogression-free survival of corresponding mammals having a hematologiccancer treated with ABRAXANE® and an antibody (e.g., an anti-CD52polypeptide antibody, an anti-CD20 polypeptide antibody, or an anti-CD38polypeptide antibody) without forming ABRAXANE®/antibody complexes(e.g., without forming ABRAXANE®/anti-CD20 polypeptide antibodycomplexes). In some cases, a composition containing albumin-containingnanoparticle/antibody complexes provided herein (e.g.,ABRAXANE®/anti-CD52 polypeptide antibody complexes, ABRAXANE®/anti-CD20polypeptide antibody complexes, or ABRAXANE®/anti-CD38 polypeptideantibody complexes) can be administered to a mammal having a hematologiccancer to increase progression-free survival by 5, 10, 25, 50, 75, 100,or more percent as compared to the median progression-free survival ofcorresponding mammals having the hematologic cancer and having receivedABRAXANE® or an antibody (e.g., an anti-CD52 polypeptide antibody,anti-CD20 polypeptide antibody, or anti-CD38 polypeptide antibody)alone. Progression-free survival can be measured over any length of time(e.g., one month, two months, three months, four months, five months,six months, or longer).

In some cases, a composition containing albumin-containingnanoparticle/antibody complexes provided herein (e.g.,ABRAXANE®/anti-CD52 polypeptide antibody complexes, ABRAXANE®/anti-CD20polypeptide antibody complexes, or ABRAXANE®/anti-CD38 polypeptideantibody complexes) can be administered to a mammal having a hematologiccancer under conditions where the 8-week progression-free survival ratefor a population of mammals is 65% or greater (e.g., 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%,70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80% or greater) thanthat observed in a population of comparable mammals not receiving acomposition containing albumin-containing nanoparticle/antibodycomplexes provided herein (e.g., ABRAXANE®/anti-CD52 polypeptideantibody complexes, ABRAXANE®/anti-CD20 polypeptide antibody complexes,or ABRAXANE®/anti-CD38 polypeptide antibody complexes). In some cases, acomposition containing albumin-containing nanoparticle/antibodycomplexes provided herein (e.g., ABRAXANE®/anti-CD52 polypeptideantibody complexes, ABRAXANE®/anti-CD20 polypeptide antibody complexes,or ABRAXANE®/anti-CD38 polypeptide antibody complexes) can beadministered to a mammal having a hematologic cancer under conditionswhere the median time to progression for a population of mammals is atleast 150 days (e.g., at least 155, 160, 163, 165, or 170 days).

The results presented herein see, e.g., FIG. 1, demonstrate that thedose of the albumin-containing nanoparticle/antibody complexes iscritical in achieving inhibition and regression of tumor growth. Aneffective amount of a composition containing albumin-containingnanoparticle/antibody complexes provided herein (e.g.,ABRAXANE®/anti-CD52 polypeptide antibody complexes, ABRAXANE®/anti-CD20polypeptide antibody complexes, or ABRAXANE®/anti-CD38 polypeptideantibody complexes) can be any amount that reduces the progression rateof the hematologic cancer, increases the progression-free survival rate,or increases the median time to progression without producingsignificant toxicity to the mammal. An effective dosage amount ofABRAXANE® is from about 75 mg/m² to about 250 mg/m², 100 mg/m² to about200 mg/m², or about 150 mg/m². An effective dosage amount of ananti-CD52 polypeptide antibody, e.g., Alemtuzumab, anti-CD20 polypeptideantibody such as Rituximab, and anti CD38 polypeptide antibody, e.g.,SAR650984 can be from about 17.5 mg/m² to about 125 mg/m², about 35mg/m² to about 100 mg/m², and about 50 to about 100 mg/m².

If a particular mammal fails to respond to a particular amount, then theamount of ABRAXANE® or anti-CD52, anti-CD20, or anti-CD38 polypeptideantibody can be increased by, for example, two fold. After receivingthis higher concentration, the mammal can be monitored for bothresponsiveness to the treatment and toxicity symptoms, and adjustmentsmade accordingly. The effective amount can remain constant or can beadjusted as a sliding scale or variable dose depending on the mammal'sresponse to treatment. Various factors can influence the actualeffective amount used for a particular application. For example, thefrequency of administration, duration of treatment, use of multipletreatment agents, route of administration, and severity of thehematologic cancer may require an increase or decrease in the actualeffective amount administered.

The frequency of administration can be any frequency that reduces theprogression rate of the hematologic cancer, increases theprogression-free survival rate, or increases the median time toprogression without producing significant toxicity to the mammal. Forexample, the frequency of administration can be from about once everythree months, once a month to about three times a month, or from abouttwice a month to about six times a month, or from about once every twomonths to about three times every two months. The frequency ofadministration can remain constant or can be variable during theduration of treatment. A course of treatment with a compositioncontaining ABRAXANE®/antibody complexes can include rest periods. Forexample, a composition containing ABRAXANE®/antibody complexes can beadministered over a two week period followed by a two week rest period,and such a regimen can be repeated multiple times. As with the effectiveamount, various factors can influence the actual frequency ofadministration used for a particular application. For example, theeffective amount, duration of treatment, use of multiple treatmentagents, route of administration, and severity of the hematologic cancermay require an increase or decrease in administration frequency.

An effective duration for administering a composition provided hereincan be any duration that reduces the progression rate of the hematologiccancer, increases the progression-free survival rate, or increases themedian time to progression without producing significant toxicity to themammal. Thus, the effective duration can vary from several days toseveral weeks, months, or years. In general, the effective duration forthe treatment of the hematologic cancer can range in duration fromseveral weeks to several months. In some cases, an effective durationcan be for as long as an individual mammal is alive. Multiple factorscan influence the actual effective duration used for a particulartreatment. For example, an effective duration can vary with thefrequency of administration, effective amount, use of multiple treatmentagents, route of administration, and severity of the hematologic cancer.

A composition containing albumin-containing nanoparticle/antibodycomplexes provided herein (e.g., ABRAXANE®/anti-CD52 polypeptideantibody complexes, ABRAXANE®/anti-CD20 polypeptide antibody complexes,or ABRAXANE®/anti-CD38 polypeptide antibody complexes) can be in anyappropriate form. For example, a composition provided herein can be inthe form of a solution or powder with or without a diluent to make aninjectable suspension. A composition also can contain additionalingredients including, without limitation, pharmaceutically acceptablevehicles. A pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle can be, for example,saline, water, lactic acid, mannitol, or combinations thereof.

After administering a composition provided herein to a mammal, themammal can be monitored to determine whether or not the hematologiccancer was treated. For example, a mammal can be assessed aftertreatment to determine whether or not the progression rate of the cancerwas reduced (e.g., stopped). As described herein, any method can be usedto assess progression and survival rates.

In some cases, a formulation of ABRAXANE®/Rituxan complexes described inExample 1 can be administered to a human patient having a leukemia or alymphoma to effect cancer cell death as described in the methods setforth in Example 2.

In some cases, nanoparticles containing albumin (e.g., nanoparticleswith an albumin shell) and an agent other than paclitaxel can be used asdescribed herein in place of or in combination with ABRAXANE®. Forexample, albumin-containing nanoparticles designed to carry a cancerchemotherapeutic agent can be used to form nanoparticle/anti-CD20polypeptide antibody (or anti-CD52 polypeptide antibody or anti-CD38polypeptide antibody) complexes that can be used as described herein. Anexample of such a cancer chemotherapeutic agent includes, withoutlimitation, vinblastine and cyclophosphamide.

In some cases, a composition can be formulated to include nanoparticlescontaining albumin (e.g., nanoparticles with an albumin shell) that areconjugated to an antibody, agent, or combination of antibodies andagents to form complexes for treating a hematologic cancer. For example,albumin nanoparticles can be formulated to include adriamycin,cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone, dexamethasone, cytarabine,methotrexate, thiotepa, ifosfamide, chlorambucil, dacarbazine,bleomycin, ibrutinib, campath-B, gemcitabine, revlimid, sirolimus,temsirolimus, bexxar, brentuximab, bendamustine, etoposide, orcombinations thereof with or without including rituximab.

In some cases, nanoparticles containing albumin (e.g., nanoparticleswith an albumin shell) or a complex described herein (e.g.,ABRAXANE®/Alemtuzumab complexes, ABRAXANE®/SAR650984 complexes, orABRAXANE®/rituximab complexes) can be formulated to include one or moreanti-chronic inflammation treatment agents designed to reduce the globalstate of immune dysfunction and/or chronic inflammation present within acancer patient. For example, steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (e.g.,prednisone), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (e.g., naproxen),lympho-depleting cytotoxic agents (e.g., cyclophosphamide), immune celland/or cytokine targeting antibodies (e.g., infliximab), or acombination thereof can be incorporated into nanoparticles containingalbumin or ABRAXANE®/Alemtuzumab complexes, ABRAXANE®/SAR650984complexes, or ABRAXANE®/Rituximab complexes. In some cases, anti-IL-4agents (e.g., anti-IL-4 antibodies), anti-IL-13 agents (e.g., solubleIL-13 receptor), and combinations thereof can be incorporated intonanoparticles containing albumin or ABRAXANE® I rituximab complexes.

Any appropriate method can be used to assess whether or not the globalstate of immune dysfunction and/or chronic inflammation was reducedfollowing an anti-chronic inflammation treatment. For example, cytokineprofiles (e.g., IL-4, IL-13, IL-4, IL-13, IL-5, IL-10, IL-2, andinterferon gamma) present in blood can be assessed before and after ananti-chronic inflammation treatment to determine whether or not theglobal state of immune dysfunction and/or chronic inflammation wasreduced.

Also contemplated herein are unit doses of the pharmaceuticalcompositions comprising albumin-containing nanoparticle/antibodycomplexes provided herein (e.g., ABRAXANE®/anti-CD52 polypeptideantibody complexes, ABRAXANE®/anti-CD20 polypeptide antibody complexes,or ABRAXANE®/anti-CD38 polypeptide antibody complexes). A suitable unitdose of the pharmaceutical composition may comprise about 75 mg/m² toabout 250 mg/m², about 100 mg/m² to about 200 mg/m², and about 150 mg/m²paclitaxel, and from about 17.5 mg/m² to about 125 mg/m², about 35 mg/m²to about 100 mg/m², and about 50 to about 100 mg/m² of an antibodydescribed herein.

The invention will be further described in the following examples, whichdo not limit the scope of the invention described in the claims.

EXAMPLES Example 1

Preparation of AR160 for mouse injections:

ABRAXANE® was reconstituted with Rituxan in 0.5 ml of 0.9% saline toprovide a final concentration of 10 mg/ml paclitaxel and 4 mg/mlRituxan. The solution was then incubated at room temperature for 30minutes to allow the formation complexes of albumin-paclitaxel andRituxan, AR160. The AR160 solution was then diluted in 0.9% saline asfollows for administration to mice: For AR160 30, 60u1 of the AR160solution was added to 40 ul 0.9% saline; For AR160 45, 90 ul of AR160solution was added to 10 ul 0.9% saline. 100 ul of AR160 30 or AR 160 45were injected intravenously into lymphoma (Daudi cell line) tumorbearing athymic nude mice by the tail vein injection. The finalconcentration of each drug given to the mice were 30 mg/kg paclitaxeland 12 mg/kg Rituxan for AR160 30 and 45 mg/kg paclitaxel and 18 mg/kgRituxan for AR160 45.

Controls for this experiment were 100 ul of 0.9% saline (PBS), 100 ul ofABRAXANE® resuspended in 0.9% saline to provide a dose of 30 mg/kgpaclitaxel (ABX30), 100 ul of ABRAXANE® resuspended in 0.9% saline toprovide a dose of 45 mg/kg paclitaxel (ABX45), 100 ul of Rituxanresuspended in 0.9% saline to provide a dose of 12 mg/kg (RIT12), and100 ul of Rituxan resuspended in 0.9% saline to provide a dose of 18mg/kg (RIT18), injected intravenously into lymphoma (Daudi cell line)tumor bearing athymic nude mice by tail vein injection.

The percent change in the tumor size from baseline and survival of werethen monitored. The results are presented in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

FIG. 1 presents a graph plotting percent change at ten days in tumorsize from baseline of the lymphoma bearing nude mice treated with PBS,RIT12, RIT18, ABX30, ABX45, AR160 30 and AR160 45.

FIG. 2 is a Kaplan Meier graph plotting survival of the mice treatedwith PBS, Rituxan (RIT12; 12 mg/kg) only, Rituxan (RIT18; 18 mg/kg) onlyABX30 (30 mg/kg paclitaxel) only, ABX 45 (45 mg/kg paclitaxel) only, orAR160 complexes, AR160 30 (paclitaxel 30 mg/kg, RIT 12 mg/kg), AR160 45(paclitaxel 45 mg/kg, RIT 18 mg/kg). At 80 days from administration 9/9AR160 45 mice responded to therapy: 2 progressed and 7/9 had completeresponses in that the tumor was undetectable by visual inspection. Thegraph illustrates the criticality of the effective dose of AR160 whereinthe survival rate more than triples as compared to the effect of Rituxanor ABRAXANE® alone.

Example 2

ABRAXANE®/Rituxan complexes as Targeted Therapy for Lymphomas

A treatment schedule for ABRAXANE®/Rituxan complexes is repeated eachmonth (every 28 days +/−3 days) or until disease progression, patientrefusal, or unacceptable toxicity (Table 1) with the indicated doseescalation scheme (Table 2) and dose limiting toxicities (Table 3).

TABLE 1 Agent Dose Route Days ReRx ABRAXANE ®/ assigned at IV over 60minutes 1, 8 and Every Rituxan time of (only 1^(st) dose; 15 28 days*complexes registration subsequent doses infused over 30 minutes) *Onetreatment cycle = 28 days +/− 3 days

TABLE 2 Dose Escalation Scheme. Dose Level Dose (ABX) Dose (RIT) −2   75mg/m² 30 mg/m² −1  100 mg/m² 40 mg/m²   1* 125 mg/m² 50 mg/m² 2 150mg/m² 60 mg/m² 3 175 mg/m² 70 mg/m² *Starting dose.

TABLE 3 Dose Limiting Toxicities (DLT). Toxicity DLT DefinitionHematologic Grade 4 ANC, Grade 4 Hgb, or PLT <25,000 Renal Serumcreatinine ≥2 times baseline Other nonhematologic ≥grade 3 as per NCICommon Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 4.0

ABRAXANE®/Rituxan Complexes

ABRAXANE®/Rittman complexes are prepared as a hazardous low riskproduct. ABRAXANE® is supplied as a white to off-white lyophilizedpowder containing 100 mg of paclitaxel and approximately 900 mg AlbuminHuman USP (HA) as a stabilizer in a 50 mL, single-use vial. Each vial ofthe lyophilized product is reconstituted as set forth below.Unreconstituted ABRAXANE® is stored at controlled room temperature inits carton. Reconstituted ABRAXANE® is used immediately. Rituxan isclassified as an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody.

The dose appropriate number of vials of Rituxan are obtained, and eachvial is further diluted per the following directions to 4 mg/mL. Thedose appropriate number of ABRAXANE® (paclitaxel) 100 mg vials isobtained and each vial is reconstituted per the following directions toa final concentration containing 10 mg/mL nanoparticle albumin-bound(nab) paclitaxel. It is not a requirement to use filter needles in thepreparation of, or in-line filters during administration. In addition,filters of pore-size less than 15 micrometers are to be avoided.

As with other cytotoxic anticancer drugs, caution is exercised inhandling ABRAXANE®. The use of gloves is recommended.

Using a sterile 3 mL syringe, 1.6 mL (40 mg) of Rituxan 25 mg/mL iswithdraw and slowly injected, over a minimum of 1 minute, onto theinside wall of each of the vials containing 100 mg of ABRAXANE®. UnusedRituxan left in the 25 mg/mL vial is discarded, as the product containsno preservatives. Injecting the Rituxan solution directly onto thelyophilized cake is avoided as this will result in foaming. Using asterile 12 mL sterile syringe, 8.4 mL of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection,USP, is withdrawn and slowly injected, over a minimum of 1 minute, ontothe inside wall of each vial containing ABRAXANE® 100 mg and Rituxan 40mg. Once the addition of Rituxan 1.6 mL and 0.9% Sodium ChlorideInjection, USP 8.4 mL is complete in each vial, each vial is gentlyswirled and/or inverted slowly for at least 2 minutes until completedissolution of any cake/powder occurs. The generation of foam isavoided. The concentration of each vial is 100 mg/10 mL ABRAXANE® and 40mg/10 mL Rituxan. The vials containing the ABRAXANE® and Rituxan areallowed to sit for 60 minutes. The vial(s) are gently swirled and/orinverted every 10 minutes to continue to mix the complexes. After 60minutes is elapsed, a sterile 60- to 100-mL syringe (appropriate sizefor the volume being administered) is used to withdraw the calculateddosing volume of ABRAXANE® and Rituxan from each vial. A sufficientquantity of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP is added to make thefinal concentration of ABRAXANE® 5 mg/mL and Rittman 2 mg/mL. Thesyringe is gently swirled and/or inverted slowly for 1 minute to mix.The storage and stability is for up to 4 hours at room temperaturefollowing final dilution.

Determination of Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD)

The maximum tolerated dose is defined as the highest dose level amongthose tested where at most one out of six patients develops a DLT priorto the start of their second cycle of treatment and the next highestdose level is such that two out of a maximum of six patients treated atthis dose level developed a DLT prior to the start of their second cycleof treatment.

Enrollment and Determination of MTD

A minimum of two or a maximum of six patients are accrued to a givendose level. For dose level 1 (and if accrued to, dose levels −1 & −2),enrollment is temporarily halted after each patient has been enrolled inorder to gather acute adverse event data over the first cycle of theirtreatment. For dose levels 2 & 3, patients are accrued to these doselevels so that at any given time no more than two patients are receivingtheir first cycle of treatment and acute adverse event data over thefirst treatment cycle for all other patients treated at the current doselevel is known. If, at any time in the enrollment process, two patientstreated at the current dose level develop a DLT during the first cycleof treatment, enrollment is closed to that dose level. Enrollment isre-opened to the next lower dose level if fewer than six patients havebeen treated at that dose level. If none of the first three patientstreated at a given dose level develops a DLT during the first cycle oftreatment, enrollment to the dose level is closed and enrollment isreopen at next higher dose level. If there are no other higher doselevels to be tested, three additional patients are enrolled at thecurrent dose level to confirm MTD. If one of the first three patientstreated at a given dose level develops a DLT during the first cycle oftreatment, three additional patients are enrolled (sequentially) ontothe current dose level. If, at any time in the enrollment of these threeadditional patients, a patient develops a DLT, enrollment is closed tothis dose level. Enrollment is re-opened to the next lower dose level iffewer than six patients are treated at that dose level. If none of thesethree additional patients develops a DLT during the first cycle oftreatment, enrollment to this dose level is closed and enrollment isreopened at next higher dose level. If there are no other higher doselevels to be tested, this is considered the MTD.

For this protocol, the patient returns for evaluation and retreatment(at least every 28 +/−3 days) according to the schedule. If a patientfails to complete the first cycle of treatment for reasons other thantoxicity, an additional patient is enrolled to replace this patient.

Dosage Modification Based on Adverse Events

The modifications in Table 4 are followed until individual treatmenttolerance is ascertained. If multiple adverse events (Table 5) are seen,dose is administered based on greatest reduction required for any singleadverse event observed. Dose modifications apply to the treatment givenin the preceding cycle and are based on adverse events observed sincethe prior dose.

TABLE 4 Dose Levels Based on Adverse Events. ABRAXANE ®/Rituxancomplexes- Both drugs are reduced Dose Accompanying RIT dose Level ABXdose (40% of ABX dose) 2 175 mg/m² 70 mg/m² −1 150 mg/m² 60 mg/m² 1 125mg/m² 50 mg/m² −2 100 mg/m² 40 mg/m² −2  75 mg/m² 30 mg/m² *Dose level 1refers to the starting dose.

TABLE 5 Use Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v.4.0* unless otherwise specified CTCAE Category Adverse Event DoseReduction Investigations ANC <1000 Day 1: Holduntil counts above theselevels. or Day 8: Omit dose that day and retreat at same dose PLT<75,000 level on day 15 if counts have recovered. Day 15: Omit dose thatday. NOTE: if two consecutive cycles of therapy require omission of adose, subsequent treatment cycles should begin (day 1) at next lowerdose. AST or Alkaline Day 1: Hold until resolved to <Grade 2 then reducePhosphatase dose by ONE dose level. ≥Grade 2 If treatment needs to beheld >4 weeks, discontinue study treatment and go to event monitoring.Neurology Neuropathy Day 1: Hold until resolved to <Grade 2 then reducedisorders ≥Grade 2 dose by ONE dose level. Day 8 OR 15- Omit dose thatday. If resolved to <Grade 2 by next scheduled dose, then dose reduce byone level If treatment needs to be held >4 weeks, discontinue studytreatment and go to Event Monitoring All other non- ≥Grade 3 Day 1: Holduntil resolved to < Grade 2 then hematologic reduce dose by ONE doselevel. adverse events Day 8: Omit dose that day. If resolved to ≤Grade 2by day 15, then dose reduce by one level and retreat. Day 15: Omit dosethat day. NOTE: if two consecutive cycles of therapy require omission ofa dose, subsequent treatment cycles should begin (day 1) at next lowerdose. If treatment needs to be held >4 weeks, discontinue studytreatment and go to Event Monitoring Gastrointestinal Bowel Discontinueall study treatment and proceed to Disorders perforation EventMonitoring Bowel Obstruction Grade 1 Continue patient on study forpartial bowel obstruction NOT requiring medical intervention. Grade 2Hold for partial obstruction requiring medical intervention. If resolvedto Grade 0 within 4 weeks, treatment may be restarted. If treatmentneeds to be held >4 weeks, discontinue all study treatment and go toEvent Monitoring. Grade 3 or 4 For complete bowel obstruction,discontinue study treatment and proceed to Event Monitoring CardiacDisorders Hypertension Hypertension should be treated as per general≥Grade 3 practice. If hypertension (≥150/100) persists despitetreatment, hold treatment until blood pressure is below this level Iftreatment needs to be held >4 weeks due to uncontrolled hypertension,discontinue study treatment and go to Event Monitoring. Left ventricularsystolic function- Hold until resolution to Grade ≤1. If treatment Grade3 needs to be held >4 weeks, discontinue all study treatment and go toEvent Monitoring. Grade 4 Discontinue treatment and proceed to EventMonitoring Respiratory, Bronchopulmonary thoracic and Hemorrhagemediastinal ≥Grade 2 Discontinue all study treatment and proceed todisorders Event Monitoring Coagulation Hemorrhage Grade 3 Hold until ALLof the following criteria are met: 1. Bleeding has resolved and Hb isstable . 2. There is no bleeding diathesis that would increase the riskof therapy. 3. There is no anatomic or pathologic condition that couldincrease the risk of hemorrhage recurrence. Grade 4 If treatment needsto be held >4 weeks, discontinue study treatment and go to EventMonitoring Patients who experience a recurrence of Grade 3 hemorrhageare to discontinue all study treatment and proceed to Event Monitoring.Discontinue study treatment and proceed to Event Monitoring BleedingDiscontinue study treatment and proceed to Event diathesis MonitoringGrade 3 or 4 Vascular disorders Venous thrombosis Grade 3 Holdtreatment. If the planned duration of full- or dose anticoagulation is<2 weeks, treatment asymptomatic should be held until the full-doseGrade 4 anticoagulation period is over. If the planned duration offull-dose anticoagulation is >2 weeks, treatment may be resumed duringthe period of full-dose anticoagulation IF all of the criteria below aremet: The subject must have an in-range INR Symptomatic (usually 2-3) ona stable dose of warfarin, or on Grade 4 stable dose of heparin prior torestarting treatment. The subject must not have pathological conditionsthat carry high risk of bleeding (e.g. tumor involving major vessels orother conditions) The subject must not have had hemorrhagic events whileon study If thromboemboli worsen/recur upon resumption of study therapy,discontinue treatment. Discontinue treatment and proceed to EventMonitoring Arterial Discontinue treatment and proceed to Eventthrombosis Monitoring (Angina, myocardial infarction, transient ischemicattack, cerebrovascular accident, or any other arterial thromboembolicevents) ANY Grade

Ancillary Treatment/Supportive Care

Routine use of colony-stimulating factors (G-CSF or GM-CSF) is notrecommended. Prophylactic use of colony-stimulating factors during thestudy is not allowed. Therapeutic use in patients with seriousneutropenic complications such as tissue infection, sepsis syndrome,fungal infection, etc., may be considered at physician discretion.Recombinant erythropoietin to maintain adequate hemoglobin levels andavoid packed red blood cell transfusions is allowed.

Patients should receive full supportive care while on this study. Thisincludes blood product support, antibiotic treatment and treatment ofother newly diagnosed or concurrent medical conditions. All bloodproducts and concomitant medications such as antidiarrheals, analgesics,and anti-emetics received from the first administration of study drugsuntil 30 days after the final dose are to be recorded in the medicalrecord. Patients participating in phase I program clinical trials arenot to be considered for enrollment in any other study involving apharmacologic agent-(drugs, biologics, immunotherapy approaches, genetherapy) whether for symptom control or therapeutic intent.

Hypersensitivity Reactions

Patients do not require premedication prior to administration ofABRAXANE®/Rituxan complexes. In the unlikely event of a hypersensitivityreaction, treatment with antihistamines, H2 blockers, andcorticosteroids is recommended. Patients should be pre-medicated withthe typical regimen for paclitaxel regimens for subsequent cycles. Inthe unlikely event of a mild hypersensitivity reaction, premedicationmay be administered using the premedication regimen the institutiontypically uses for solvent-based paclitaxel.

Administration

The IV initial complex dose is infused over 60 minutes via syringe pump.The infusion may be shortened to 30 minutes if the initial infusion iswell tolerated. Infusion is monitored closely during the infusionprocess for signs/symptoms of an infusion reaction. The patient's lineis flushed after administration with 20 mL 0.9% Sodium Chloride. Anexample calculation and preparation is as follows:

Dose level 1: ABRAXANE® 125 mg/m²/Rituxan 50 mg/m² BSA=2 m²

Doses required: ABRAXANE® 250 mg/Rituxan 100 mg

Obtain three 100 mg vials of ABRAXANE®.

Obtain one 100 mg vial of Rituxan 25 mg/mL.

Withdraw 1.6 mL (40 mg) of Rituxan 25 mg/mL and slowly inject over 1minute onto the inside wall of one of the 100 mg ABRAXANE® vials. Repeatthis procedure for each of the remaining two ABRAXANE® 100 mg vials.

Add 8.4 mL 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP onto the inside wall ofone of the vials containing ABRAXANE® and Rituxan. Repeat this procedurefor each of the remaining two ABRAXANE® and Rituxan vials.

Let mixture sit for 60 minutes (swirling every 10 minutes). The finalconcentration of each vial should be 100 mg ABRAXANE®/10 mL and 40 mgRituxan/10 mL.

Withdraw 25 mL from the ABRAXANE® and Rituxan containing vial and placein a 100 mL sterile syringe. Add 25 mL 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection,USP for a final ABRAXANE® concentration of 5 mg/mL and Rituxanconcentration of 2 mg/mL. Infuse via syringe pump over 60 minutes (firstdose, 30 minutes subsequent doses).

Response to ABRAXANE®/Rituxan Complex Treatment

Each patient's response to treatment with a ABRAXANE®/Rituxan complexformulation is monitored.

What is claimed is:
 1. A unit dose of a composition comprisingalbumin-containing nanoparticles complexed with an antibody wherein saidnanoparticles contain albumin and paclitaxel at a ratio of about 9:1albumin to paclitaxel as well as a plurality of humanized antibodiescomplexed thereto wherein said nanoparticles are solids which have asize less than 1 micron provided that at least a portion of the saidantibodies are arranged in a manner that said nanoparticle complexesretain antibody mediated target binding specificity and wherein theantibody is an anti-CD52 polypeptide humanized antibody, wherein saidunit dose comprises from about 17.5 mg/m² to about 125 mg/m² of saidantibody and about 75 mg/m² to about 250 mg/m² paclitaxel.
 2. The unitdose of a composition of claim 1 wherein the antibody is alemtuzumab. 3.The unit dose of a composition of claim 1 wherein the antibodies arenon-covalently complexed with the nanoparticles.
 4. A method to effecthematological cancer cell death said method comprising contacting thecancer cell with a composition comprising albumin-containingnanoparticles complexed with an antibody wherein said nanoparticlescontain albumin and paclitaxel at a ratio of about 9:1 albumin topaclitaxel as well as a plurality of humanized antibodies complexedthereto wherein said nanoparticles are solids which have a size lessthan 1 micron provided that at least a portion of the said antibodiesare arranged in a manner that said nanoparticle-complexes retainantibody mediated target binding specificity and wherein the antibody isan anti-CD52 polypeptide humanized antibody, wherein said unit dosecomprises from about 17.5 mg/m² to about 125 mg/m² of said antibody andabout 75 mg/m² to about 250 mg/m² paclitaxel.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein the hematologic cancer cell is a leukemia cell, a lymphoma cell,or myeloma cell.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the leukemia cell isan acute myelogenous (granulocytic) leukemia (AML) cell, chronicmyelogenous (granulocytic) leukemia (CML) cell, acute lymphocytic(lymphoblastic) leukemia (ALL) cell, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)cell, or hairy cell leukemia).
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein thelymphoma cell is a cell of a mature B-cell neoplasm, a mature T cellneoplasm, a mature natural killer cell neoplasm, animmunodeficiency-associated lymphoproliferative disorder, Hodgkinlymphoma cell, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma cell.
 8. The method of claim 5,wherein the myeloma is a multiple myeloma cell.
 9. The method of claim4, wherein the unit dose comprises about 100 mg/m² to about 200 mg/m²paclitaxel.
 10. The method of claim 4, wherein the unit dose comprisesabout 150 mg/m² paclitaxel.
 11. The method of claim 4, wherein the unitdose comprises about 35 mg/m² to about 100 mg/m² of the antibody. 12.The method of claim 4, wherein the unit dose comprises about 50 mg/m² toabout 100 mg/m² of the antibody.
 13. A method for lysing a hematologicalcancer cell in a patient, the method comprises administering to thepatient an effective amount of a composition comprisingalbumin-containing nanoparticles complexed with an antibody wherein saidnanoparticles contain albumin and paclitaxel at a ratio of about 9:1albumin to paclitaxel as well as a plurality of humanized antibodiescomplexed thereto wherein said nanoparticles are solids which have asize less than 1 micron provided that at least a portion of the saidantibodies are arranged in a manner that said nanoparticle-complexesretain antibody mediated target binding specificity and wherein theantibody is an anti-CD52 polypeptide humanized antibody, wherein saidunit dose comprises from about 17.5 mg/m² to about 125 mg/m² of saidantibody and about 75 mg/m² to about 250 mg/m² paclitaxel.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the unit dose comprise about of 100 mg/m² toabout 200 mg/m² paclitaxel.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the unitdose comprise about 150 mg/m² paclitaxel.
 16. The method of claim 13,wherein the unit dose comprise about 35 mg/m² to about 100 mg/m²antibody.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the unit dose compriseabout 50 mg/m² to about 100 mg/m².
 18. The method of claim 13, whereinthe hematologic cancer cell is a leukemia cell, a lymphoma cell, ormyeloma cell.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the leukemia cell isan acute myelogenous (granulocytic) leukemia (AML) cell, chronicmyelogenous (granulocytic) leukemia (CML) cell, acute lymphocytic(lymphoblastic) leukemia (ALL) cell, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)cell, or hairy cell leukemia).
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein thelymphoma cell is a cell of a mature B-cell neoplasm, a mature T cellneoplasm, a mature natural killer cell neoplasm, animmunodeficiency-associated lymphoproliferative disorder, Hodgkinlymphoma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
 21. The method of claim 17, whereinthe myeloma is a multiple myeloma cell.
 22. The method of claim 13,wherein the patient is a mammal.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein themammal is a human.
 24. The method of claim 13, wherein saidpharmaceutical composition comprises a humanized anti-CD52 polypeptideantibody.